Signaling system



Aug. 18, 1925.

C. A. NASH SIGNALING SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 25 1920 Aug. 18, 1925.

C. A. NASH SIGNALING SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 25

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Patented Aug. 18, 1925.

UNITED STATES PTENT FFIQEL.

CHARLES A. NASH, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR r0 SEYMOUR STEDMAN, or

CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS.

SIGNALING SYSTEMT.

Application filed October 25, 1920. Serial No. 419,290.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, CIIAnLns A. NAsII, a citizen of the United States, residing at 2309 Archer Ave, Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Signaling Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in signaling systems, and more especially to a direct current signaling system. My ob]ect is to provide means by which a relatively high voltage direct current service line may be made to energize a relatively low voltage signaling circuit.

The invention will be fully understood from the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a signaling system designed in accordance with the invention, Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a part of the mechanism, and Fig. 3 is a view of a modified form of device.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a relatively high voltage direct current circuit, as for example, a 110 volt city service line. In series with this line is a timing switch S connected on one side to one of the direct current circuit wires by the wire 30 and on the other side by the wire 31 to a pole changing device, indicated in general by a and adapted to direct the flow of current alternately through the wires 5 and 6. One of the wires 5 and 6 is connected to each end of a primary coil P of a transformer 7. A return is afforded from the center of the primary coil P through the wire 8 back to the direct current circuit.

The transformer 7 is also provided with a secondary winding S. As is shown diagrammatically upon the drawings, the number of turns in the secondary winding S is much less than the number of turns in the primary winding 3, so that the transformer operates as a step-clown transformer, the proportionate number of turns in the winding being calculated to give the desired voltage for the actuation of the signaling device to which it.

is connected.

In series with the secondary coil S is a signaling circuit leading through the wire 10 to a push button switch 65 or similar device, thence to a signaling apparatus such as, for example, the bell B. This circuit leads from the bell B through the wire 11 to the timmg switch S through this switch and back by the wire 12 to the other end of the secondary coil S. A shunt circuit is taken off of this signaling circuit by the wire 13 leading from the wire 10 to the time switch S thence by the wire 14 to a small battery M, thence by the wire 15 through the electro-magnet 16, and thence by the wire 17 back to the wire 11.

A shunt circuit from the two sides of the timing switch S is also provided by means of the wires 19 and 20 which carry the switch G in series with the circuit formed by them. The switch G is adapted to be closed by movement of the lever F which carries near its end an iron disk 22 in close proximity to the pole piece 23 of the electro-magnet 16. The lever F is made of spring metal so that it will normally take the position shown in the drawing (to open the switch G) unless a current through the electro-magnet 16 draws the disk 22 close to the pole piece 23 to close the switch G.

The operation of the pole changer 4; is as follows. Current flows from one side of the direct current service line, through the wire 30, through the switch G or time switch S, and through the wire 31 to the breaker bar 40 by which it is conducted to the contact point 4-1, from which a small part of it is conducted by the wire 42 through the electro magnet 13, and thence by the wire 6 back to the other side of the direct current service line. The greater part of the current, however, is taken from the contact point 41 by the wire 6 to one end of the primary coil P of the transformer 7 The breaker bar 40 carries an iron disk 1 i lying in close proX- imity to the pole piece 45 of the electroinagnet 4E3. As soon as current flows through the electro-inagnet -13 the disk at is drawn toward the pole piece 45 causing the breaker bar 10 to break the electrical connection with the contact 41 and make a circuit with the contact 46 causing the current to flow through the wire 5 to the other end of the primary coil P of the transformer 7 Current through the electro-magnet 43 is thereby cut off permitting the spring 50 to again draw the breaker bar 40 back to again make contact with the point 11. The result of this action will be to cause rapid vibration of the breaker bar 40 between the contacts a; and

46 thus sending current alternately from the two ends of the primary coil P to its center and out through the wire 8. it is obvious that the flows of current from the two ends of the primary coil in opposite directions toward the center will energize the transformer 7. A supply of electrical energy at low potential is thereby obtained from the secondary winding of this transformer for the actuation of the signaling apparatus Connected to the breaker bar 40 is a pawl 51,, the end of which is adapted to engage with teeth on the ratchet wheel 52 as shown diagramma-tically in This device is so constructed that vibrations of the breaker bar 40 between tne contacts 4-1 and will cause the end of thepawl 51 to engage with the teeth on the ii atc'het wheel 52 to cause rotation of this ratchet wheel in the direction indicated by the arrow. Rotation of the ratchet wheel in a reverse direction is prevented by the spring pawl The ratchet wheel 52 is mounted on a shaft 56 which carries a drum 5'? on which are mounted three cam sui ces 58, 59 and 60 adapted to operate respectively the three timing switches S, S and S The construction of these parts is shown in plan, partly diagrannnatically, in Fig. 2, in which the View of the ratchet wheel 52 in Fig. l is taken as indicated by the line 52, and the three views of the timing switches S, S and S respectively, by views taken as indicated by the three lines S, S and S In the operation of the device the timing switches S and S are normally open, and the timing switch S closed. The switch G is also normally open, and likewise the push button switch 65. When the parts are in this position, it is obvious that there will be no current flowing through any of the wires or circuits. lVhen it is desired to operate the bell or other signaling device B the push button switch 65 is closed, causing current to low from the battery M through the switch S, the wire 13, the wire 10, the push button switch (35, the bell B, the wire 11, the wire '17, the magnet 16, and the wire back to the battery M. The flow of the current through the magnet 16 causes the pole piece 28 to attract the disk 22 causing the switch G to be closed. The closing of the switch G causes current to flow from the direct current circuit through the wires 30 and to the switch G, thence by the wires 19 and 81 to the pole changer l through which it flows, described above, causing most of the current to alternate between the two ends of the prin'iary coil to the wire 8, thence back to the high voltage direct current circuit. The operation of the pole changer as de scribed before, causes rotation of the wheel 52 and drum 57 on which is carried the three cam surfaces 58, 59 and 60. These cams are so arranged that rotation of the drum 57 will first close the switch S, then open the switch S, and then close the switch S in rapid succession. The cams will then hold the switches S and S closed and permit the switch 'S" to remain open until the drum 57 completes one rotation whereupon all three switches will be restored to their original normal positions, that is the switches S and S open and the switch S closed. As soon as the switch S is closed current from the direct current circuit 1 will flow directly through the wires and 81 and switch S to the pole changer 4-, thus causing :energization of the transformer 7 as long as the switch S remains closed. The opening of the switch S cuts otf current tnom the battery M'causing the switch G to open. The closing of the switch S permits low potential current from the secondary coil S of the transformer 7 to flow through the wire 10, push button switch 65, bell 13, wire 11, switch S and wire 12 back to the coil, thus com pleting a circuit through the bell B as long as the switch S and push button switch 65 remain closed. The cams 58, 59 and ('30 are so arranged that after rotation of the drum 57 has commenced and the switches S" and S closed, and the switch S open, all three switches will remain vin such positions until the drum 57 completes one rotation. The teeth on the wheel 52 and the speed ot vibration oi? the breaker bar are so arranged that the wheel 52 will make one rotation in about one and one half seconds. It is obvious that it the push button is opened in a less time than required to make one revolution oi the ratchet wheel 52, that the bell would ring only for the time the circuit was closed at 65. Regardless 01 the time that the switch -65 is held closed, however, the .pole changer, hav ing once been started, will cause the ratchet wheel to complete one rotation. This is caused by the tact that as soon as r0tation of the wheel and drum 57 is commenced, the switch i" is closed, completing a circuit through this switch to the pole changer. The cam is arranged to close the switch S innnediatoly upon commence ment of rotation of the drum 5?. The parts are so arranged that the switch S opens in about of a second after the closing of the switch S, and the switch C closes in. about of a 'econd after the opening of the switch It is obvious that the consumption of the current from the battery M will be very slight because the switch S opens in a traction of a second after the closing of the push button (55, thus cut-ting oll flow of current from the battery M. It is obvious also that ii" the push 'butionswitch 65 is held closed throughout the completion of one rotation of the ratchet wheel 52,

that said wheel will commence another rotation, and repeat as long as the push button switch is held closed.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a modified form of device. It will be noted that in this form the switch G is dispensed with and the wires 17 and 15 are led to the magnet 16' which is located near the switch S. The magnet 16 takes the place of the magnet 16; and the construction of the switch S is slightly altered as shown, one of the members being extended to lie near the pole piece 23 of the magnet 16 so that energization of the magnet will close the switch S. It will be noted that this construction is slightly different from that shown in the preferred form. Practically the only differcnce is that the switch G is dispensed with and the magnet 16 in place of the ".2 magnet 16 is used to close the switch S when the push button 65 is first pressed. As soon as the switch S is closed the pole changing apparatus starts to turn the drum 57, and this movement of the drum serves to hold the switch S closed in the same way as in the operation of the preferred form. In the preferred form, the magnet 16 closes the switch G which starts the pole changing apparatus, and this immediately closes the switch S. In the modified form the switch S is closed directly by the mag net 16.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes therefore in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the ap pended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as possible in view'of the prior art.

hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a system of the class described; a t 'ansformer; a relatively high potential direct current circuit having in series therewith the primary winding of the transformer, a current interrupter, and a switch (S normally open; a signaling circuit having in series therewith the secondary winding of the transformer, a control switch, a signaling device, and a switch (S normally open; a shunt circuit on the signaling circuit including a source of potential, the control switch, and a switch (S normally closed; means operated by flow of current through the shunt circuit for closing the switch (S and means operated by the current interrupter for closing switches(S and (S and opening switch and then restoring said switches to their normal positions.

2. In a system of the class described; a transformer; a relatively high potential direct current circuit having in series therewith the primary winding of the transformer, and a switch (S normally open; a signaling circuit having in series therewith the secondary winding of the trans former, a control switch, a signaling device, and a switch (S normally open; a shunt circuit on the signaling circuit including a source of potential, the control switch, and a switch normally closed; means operated by flow of current through the shunt circuit for closing the switch (S and simultaneously operated means operated by flow of current through the high potential direct current circuit for closing switches (S and (S and opening switch (S and then restoring said switches to their normal positions and interrupting the prinary circuit.

3. In a system of the class described; a transformer; a relatively high potential direct current circuit having in series therewith the primary winding of the transformer, a current interrupter, and a switch (S normally open; a signaling circuit having in series therewith the secondary winding of the transformer, a control switch, a signaling device, and a switch (S normally open; a shunt circuit on the signaling circuit including a source of potential, the control switch, and a switch (S normally closed; means operated by flow of current through the shunt circuit for electrically connecting the terminals of switch (S and means operated by the current interrupter for closing switches (S and (S and opening switch (S and then restoring said switches to their normal positions.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and stal this 21st day of October, 1920.

CHARLES A. NASH; [n s.] 

